Legion of Merit as PCS award?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 22:21:45 -0500

Have you heard or seen such occasion? What is your opinion on such occasion?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2015 10:27 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 22:27:41 -0500

Why not? Does the level or responsibility and performance warrant it? If so, then absolutely.

You'll see this usually at BDES level command / CSM and above positions!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2015 10:34 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 22:34:15 -0500

I have seen it often for those with significant responsibility.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Feb 21 at 2015 10:40 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 22:40:36 -0500

It all depends on proper justification. If the scope of responsibility and performance in the position warrant it, it is appropriate.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2015 10:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 22:40:56 -0500

In my opinion, If you are responsible for the overall health and welfare of over 5,000 well-trained Service Members, a Legion of Merit is warranted.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2015 10:43 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 22:43:46 -0500

I agree with the two Gentlemen who have already commented upon this thread.

I believe my former BN Commander deserved one with the level of responsibility the Brigade put on him. Of course here they utilize rank to justify awards not merit and worth.

I also worked with a CW3 who should have received one for his retirement award but the Brigade CDR stated that there was no way a CW3 could have held that level of responsibility. What that uninformed CDR failed to do was know a senior within her own Command. If so she may have realized that he took on the responsibility and authority on the Airborne Operations within TRADOC. He was also instrumental in making several changes to the field for the better.

Awards should most definitely be presented upon the actions of the individual, their responsibility and Merit!

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Feb 21 at 2015 10:49 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 22:49:02 -0500

Awards are always a hot button topic. For those I've seen receive it as a PCS award, most truly dedicated themselves and this award was a very small token for their service however, there was one leader......I assume you know the rest of the story based on your topic.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Feb 21 at 2015 10:55 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 22:55:36 -0500

Seen it for the O6+ and E9 crowd.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Feb 21 at 2015 11:19 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 23:19:01 -0500

When you retire, you will get the same ID card as they do.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2015 12:04 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 00:04:22 -0500

I saw this when serving in Kuwait. The BDE CDR was stationed in Kuwait for a two year tour and was given a LOM at the time to PCS. It seems legit saying the BDE had troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and UAE.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 22 at 2015 12:36 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 00:36:11 -0500

It is all in the decievingly short narrative and what the approval authority knows about the person. It is important to link what that person has done to the level of the approval authority. This is often where the toxic rank-responsibility-performance gets spinning. That LOM is going to the Corps Commander or nearest three star Commander. It is hard to link activity at the Company level to directly accomplishing the Corps mission(s) single handedly. Often over looked, is the intermediate commander's endorsement.

Any company commanders out there? Applies to all awards...One way ticket to downgrades-ville is for you to put NOTHING in your block, or waste it with some platitude. Put a 5th bullet (MSM and below) or add a new accomplishment (LOM) that is important to the approval authority in there. Shows you care, know the guy, and link the approver to the recommended soldier. Everyone knows what the two and three star is focused on...if you don't know, ask the BN XO or the BDE XO.

My informal analysis is that PCS LOMs are fewer than when I came in. Saw some BN level command teamsI have seen them awarded to BDE level Commanders and CSMs, but not as an absolute rule.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 22 at 2015 1:01 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 01:01:08 -0500

Yes, generally the cut line for the LOM is when you leave BDE Command/CSM...

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2015 10:49 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 10:49:59 -0500

The AR is relatively clear on the level of responsibility and performance. In my opinion, I hate to see senior leaders being stingy with this award at retirement time...same cost as an MSM to process and it does not detract from the prestige of the award. In the end, if you can make someone feel better and pin a LOM versus MSM (which they probably have a few) it benefits the military every time she/he speaks about being in...good for recruiting.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2015 10:57 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 10:57:52 -0500

Although I've mainly seen it as a retirement award for SGM/O-6 and above, I've seen a Division level CSM and CDR receive them as a PCS award. I feel with that level of responsibility and exhibited leadership it is deserved.

Response by SPC Neil Hood made Feb 22 at 2015 1:33 PM

SPC Neil Hood — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 13:33:16 -0500

A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Feb 22 at 2015 1:35 PM

LTC Hillary Luton — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 13:35:21 -0500

I have seen it as a PCS award but usually for CSM or COL and above. I received an LOM upon retirement and was grateful for it. At the same time I kind of look at it and think, "uhhhh, ok, nobody really cares but me and where on earth would I wear the darn thing?" Oh well, I wore it for a day. :-)

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 28 at 2015 9:54 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 09:54:12 -0400

It better be a darn special person to get the LOM on PCS.

Response by SGT William Howell made Jul 28 at 2015 11:11 AM

SGT William Howell — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:11:58 -0400

Somebody need to poke that person that would approve that right in the eye!

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jul 20 at 2018 6:04 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 06:04:22 -0400

NO - not as a PCS Award.
People strike me odd sometimes with some of the most venomous comments were about 'Awards Inflation'. Often they are the first ones to talk about PCS awards they don't not receive that they aren't qualified for or haven't earned. Awards are the choice of others for others - not something picked for themselves. However more importantly if you aren't recommending your subordinates, peers and leaders for the awards that are deserved then you are failing in your brothers and sisters, just as the approval authority must strive to maintain control of awards and prevent any 'Awards Inflation'.
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Legion of Merit Criteria:
1. The performance must have been such as to merit recognition of KEY individuals for service rendered in a CLEARLY exceptional manner.
2. Performance of duties NORMAL to the grade, branch, specialty, or assignment, and experience of an individual is not an adequate basis for this award.
3. For service not related to actual war, the term "key individual" applies to a NARROWER RANGE of positions than in time of war and requires evidence of significant achievement.
4. In peacetime, service should be in the nature of a SPECIAL requirement or of an EXTREMELY DIFFICULT duty performed in an UNPRECEDENTED and clearly exceptional manner.
5. However, justification of the award may accrue by virtue of exceptionally meritorious service IN A SUCCESSION of important positions.

The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the seven uniformed services of the United States as well as to military and political figures of foreign governments.
The Legion of Merit (Commander degree) is one of only two United States military decorations to be issued as a neck order (the other being the Medal of Honor) and the only United States military decoration which may be issued in award degrees (much like an order of chivalry or certain Orders of Merit).
The Legion of Merit is sixth in the order of precedence of all U.S. military awards and is worn after the Defense Superior Service Medal and before the Distinguished Flying Cross. In contemporary use in the U.S. Armed Forces, the Legion of Merit is typically awarded to Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force general officers and colonels, and Navy and Coast Guard flag officers and captains occupying senior command or very senior staff positions in their respective services.
It may also be awarded to officers of lesser rank, senior warrant officers (typically in command positions at the rank of CW5), and to very senior enlisted personnel (typically in the rank of CSM and SMA in the Army, FLTCM and MCPON in the Navy, CMSAF in the Air Force and SgtMajMC in the Marine Corps), but these instances are less frequent, typically by exception, and the circumstances vary by branch of service.
Authority to award the Legion of Merit is reserved for general officers and flag officers in pay grade O-9 (e.g., Lieutenant General and Vice Admiral) and above, civilian Department of Defense personnel at assistant service secretary or Assistant Secretary of Defense level and above, or equivalent secretary-level civilian personnel with the Department of Homeland Security with direct oversight of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2018 2:27 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 14:27:47 -0400

Only if the person met the requirements for the award. We already have enough PCS thank you awards.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2019 1:33 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 13:33:25 -0400

Navy centric comment, but Ive seen it as a PCS award for SENIOR O6s headed towards flag rank within the year. Junior or mid O6, nope, MSM is what they get.